Ocean Girl: episode guide

Strange Encounters

Episode 1.01
August 29, 1994
Written by Peter Hepworth
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Dr. Dianne Bates and her two sons, Jason and Brett, arrive at the underwater ORCA research centre for a six month stay, during which time Dr. Bates, a marine biologist, will be studying whales with the help of her assistant, Winston Seth. Dianne's youngest son, Brett, takes to the station immediately but Jason is unhappy with his new home and cannot wait to leave — and is not shy about making his feelings known.

Bad-Berry Dreams

Episode 1.02
September 05, 1994
Written by Peter Hepworth
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Brett and his friends welcome new arrival Vanessa Lane to ORCA with a practical joke. Quick to seek revenge for her very public embarrassment, Vanessa sets Brett adrift in a boat. When a tropical storm rolls in, Commander Lucas halts the search, much to Dianne's dismay, leaving Brett alone on the ocean to face the elements.

Secrets

Episode 1.03
September 12, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Mark DeFriest

After receiving his boat license, Jason's first assignment is to go out and mark the location of an illegal drift net. Neri meanwhile, responding to warning calls from Charlie, goes out to the net herself only to become entangled while trying to destroy it. Jason and Brett arrive in time to save Neri and after explaining to her that the net isn't theirs, she agrees to show them her island.

The next day when Neri takes the boys to her island, Brett wanders off while chasing a tree frog and becomes stuck up to his neck in quicksand before Neri and Jason come and pull him out.

Hell 'n' High Water

Episode 1.04
September 19, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Having already fooled Damien into performing an embarrassing chicken dance in front of everyone, Vanessa gets herself paired up with Jason on a diving task hoping to find out what he and Brett have been getting up to when they're away from ORCA. Out on the ocean, Neri appears from beneath the waves to warn Jason that an earthquake is coming.

Past Imperfect

Episode 1.05
September 26, 1994
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Brett's birthday party proves to be a smashing hit with his friends but Brett is disappointed when he doesn't receive a gift from his father (his parents are divorced). Following a heated argument between Dianne and Commander Lucas over the acquisition of new equipment for her research, Winston suggests to each of them that their working relationship would be best served if they made an effort to be nicer to one another.

Talking with Froggy and Zoe about divorce and step-parents, Brett gets the idea that there may be a relationship at work between his mother and Commander Lucas — especially when he sees how nice they are being to each other of late. Brett's belief seems to be further validated when he finds himself suddenly being given a private tour of the bridge by Commander Lucas, during which Brett casually mentions some unsettling details about his mother hoping to disinterest the Commander.

The Real World

Episode 1.06
October 03, 1994
Written by Michael Joshua
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Jason's frequent use of the boats results in Commander Lucas banning him from using them for a period of one week, effectively cutting him off from Neri.

A pair of eager property developers arrive on ORCA expressing an interest in building a resort on a nearby island — Neri's Island. Jason volunteers to be their guide on a visit to the island and after convincing Neri of his good intentions, he and Neri are able to scare off the developers keeping the island safe. Witnessing the developers spurs Neri's interest in seeing more of Jason's world.

Behind Enemy Lines

Episode 1.08
October 17, 1994
Written by Ian Coughland
Directed by Brendan Maher

After visiting Neri on her island, Jason reluctantly agrees to reciprocate and show Neri his and Jason's home on ORCA. After stealing one of Vanessa's uniforms and obtaining a fake ID from Froggy, Brett takes Neri on a long-winded tour of ORCA's maintenance sections that he hopes will bore Neri into making her visit a short one. Neri however is quickly captivated by ORCA — just as Damien seems to be with her. Getting separated from Jason and Brett, Neri wanders into Dianne's lab where she encounters Dianne and Commander Lucas.

Breaking Away

Episode 1.09
October 24, 1994
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Brendan Maher

As the kids are preparing for their shore leave to Port Jackson, Neri makes a surprise visit to the station forcing Jason and Brett to take her with them. Damien invites Neri to a movie but the experience frightens her and she runs off. On her own, Neri meets a young boy and helps him retrieve a stolen bracelet.

Returning to ORCA, Jason and Lee find themselves alone together but Commander Lucas' arrival makes for an awkward moment. Neri asks Brett what kissing is like and when he suggests she try it, she does — with Damien.

-In The Deep End

Episode 1.10
October 31, 1994
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Brendan Maher

New monitoring equipment leads to a breakthrough in Dianne's research allowing her and Winston to finally hear Neri's communications with Charlie. When the transmitter tag on Charlie stops working, Dianne must go out and replace it so she can continue her work. Using their recorded songs of Charlie and Neri, Dianne and Winston are able to attract Charlie to their location.

Siren Call

Episode 1.13
November 21, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Brendan Maher

After Neri locates Charlie, Jason and Brett recruit their friends to help rescue Charlie, but to do so, Jason must first tell them the truth about Neri. Dianne chooses to destroy all of her research on Neri after Commander Lucas tells her that he will have to file a report on Neri.